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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Burr Verses Hamilton: Two Views

On the morning
of July 11th, 1804, in a field in the town of Weehawken, New Jersey, the
sitting Vice President of the United States, Aaron Burr, shot and mortally wounded Alexander Hamilton while the
two men were engaged in a duel! The contest was the result of years of rivalry
and acrimony between the two men.

While both authors agree on multiple points concerning the
rivalry, there are many differences presented, some in the forms of opinions,
but a few as to the facts. I find that comparing both works makes an
interesting case study regarding the interpretation of history and human events.

Both books agree that when dealing with his political rivals,
Hamilton had a combative personality. He would often publish anonymous, personal,
often scathing attacks upon those that he differed with. Though Chernow
professes the opinion that Hamilton lived by a code of honor, Isenberg argues
that such behavior was outside the bounds of what would be considered honorable
behavior in Hamilton’s time as well as in our time. Furthermore, both authors
concur that in Burr’s writing and political campaigning, he almost never
engaged in such personal vitriol.

Each biography makes clear that as one of Hamilton’s chief rivals,
Burr was the subject of these vituperatively written and spoken assaults.
Isenberg emphasizes that based upon Burr’s personal conception of honor these
attacks were outrageous and unacceptable. Though Alexander Hamilton includes
many of Chernow’s opinions, he remains nonjudgmental but honest about this aspect
of Hamilton’s behavior. This is contrasted by the fact that Chernow is highly
critical of Burr, describing him as a man without convictions or honor. Chernow
uses words such as “roguish” and “opportunist”
to describe Burr.

In turn, Isenberg is also honest concerning the negative facts
about Burr. He was a lifelong slaveholder. He did initiate the famous duel that
led to Hamilton’s death. However, as Chernow does with Hamilton, she provides
little comment about these flaws while she labels Hamilton as dishonorable and
at times “outrageous,
hypocritical, even hysterical".

Consequentially I detect
some bias in both authors. I must conclude that at times, even honest
biographers and good scholars, as I believe that both Isenberg and Chernow are, become a little too fond of the people whom they are
writing about!

Both biographers also agree that Hamilton provoked the duel with incendiary
comments about Burr, and that early on, in written jousting between the parties,
that an apology by Hamilton would have been appropriate and perhaps would have avoided
bloodshed. It is Chernow who argues that Hamilton was so stubborn and fractious
over the course of his life that he had a great deal of difficulty ever admitting
that he was wrong, and would not likely have made such a concession.

A major issue of contention between Isenberg and Chernow are the
circumstances of the duel itself. As per both books, in the era and place in
question, while these contests at times ended in injury or death, often they
did not. The pistols used were notoriously inaccurate and each participant got only
two shots at most. Furthermore, duelists would often intentionally fire their
weapons into the ground, or “throw away their shots”, not actually wanting to
shoot the other combatant.

Both writers as well as online sources indicate that eyewitness
accounts of the duel are conflicting and confusing. Chernow pieces together the
diverging sources and contends that Hamilton either threw away his shot, or intended
to throw it away, and only fired after he was hit in a reflexive action.

Isenberg believes that Hamilton fired first at Burr, probably
prematurely and inadvertently. She asserts that Burr then returned fire and hit
Hamilton with the fatal shot.

Isenberg has publicly criticized Chernow and others for what she
believes is sub par scholarship on the matter. In this 2007 interview she states:

“I challenge Ron Chernow's
interpretation of Alexander Hamilton. Chernow presents a very one-sided story
about the duel: Hamilton's side. He relies on a lengthy document prepared before
the duel by Hamilton, about how he intended to shoot in the air, and why he was
morally opposed to dueling. Hamilton's close friend, Gouverneur Morris, who
gave the eulogy at his funeral, confessed in his diary that he found Hamilton's
claim about opposing dueling to be inexplicable. Hamilton opposed dueling - but
died in a duel? Everyone - Chernow, Joe Ellis - ignores the fact that Hamilton,
before the duel, put on his glasses, made adjustments for the sun, and aimed
his gun. This is hardly the behavior of someone who intended to shoot in the
air. This idea that Hamilton was so noble that he shot in the air and Burr shot
to kill - it's so one-sided! It hardly reflects the whole story. Yet it's been
told so often that it has acquired legitimacy. This is a perfect example of the
vilification of Burr and the deification of Hamilton, in which a morality tale
of good versus evil has been substituted for historical accuracy.”

Another area where the authors differ is on Burr’s personality and
behavior. Though Chernow does grant that Burr had positive traits, for example
he was an ardent Feminist, avoided personal attacks on his opponents, and often
moderated disputes among his associates, he ultimately concludes that Burr was
an unprincipled man who lacked morals and convictions. Chernow asserts that
Burr did not have any political convictions and would take any side that would
benefit his own career prospects. In contrast, Isenberg looks at the facts of
Burr’s political and legal career and concludes that he was a moderate who
sometimes agreed with the opposition party and was also willing to compromise.

Another disagreement between the writers concerns the presidential
contest of 1800. In the run up to the election, Jefferson and Burr were both
Republicans (This party was not the
predecessor of the modern American Republican Party) and were running mates.
Jefferson stood for President while Burr stood for Vice President. At the time,
electors voted for President, not the general public. Due to quirky, arcane
election rules as well as chance, when the votes were counted, Jefferson and
Burr tied for Presidential votes. In
these cases a tie was to be broken in the House of Representatives, which was
controlled by the Federalists, who were the opposition party to the Republicans.

For weeks, the Federalists hemmed and hawed and threatened to pick
neither man for President. Some Federalists suggested that they might choose
Burr if he agreed to come over to their side. Chernow’s account repeats the
tale that Burr was quietly keeping the door open to an underhanded selection of
himself as President. Chernow provides no evidence for this charge other than
the speculation of various Federalist politicians. Isenberg refutes this by
detailing Burr’s actions and statements during the time period. Burr clearly
stated to everyone who would listen that Jefferson should be chosen for
President. Once again Isenberg and Chernow seem to be in agreement on the facts
but differ in their interpretations. When I consider both views, Burr’s actions
seem to me to be beyond reproach on this matter.

Chernow also takes swipes at Burr for his promiscuity as well as
indebtedness. Isenberg convincingly argues that in both of these areas both
Hamilton and many other contemporaries had similar shortcomings.

Chernow is a biographer, not a professional historian as Isenberg
is. In Fallen
Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr, Isenberg,
who is a Professor of History at Louisiana State University, criticizes writers who have vilified Burr as often being non-
historians who overly rely upon negative accounts of Burr drawn heavily from
the writings of Burr’s enemies including Hamilton himself. Furthermore Isenberg
contends that she has used sources never accessed by other historians. When
reading both books I did look at the reference notes. Indeed, Chernow’s accounts
of Burr draw very heavily upon the writing’s of Hamilton and well as Hamilton’s
son.

It is important to keep in perspective that both of these men were
flawed. Hamilton was downright nasty and malicious when dealing with political
opponents. Chernow even concedes that at one point he threatened to use
military force against the opposition. For his part, Burr did kill Hamilton in
a duel that he initiated. In my opinion even if we accept Isenberg’s version, the
circumstances of this killing at least rise to the level of manslaughter. In
addition, while giving lip service to abolition, Burr was a life long
slaveholder.

I find that Isenberg’s Fallen
Founder: The Life of Aaron Burris the more balanced work. Her notes indicate that she relied on a
broader variety of sources. The portrait that she portrays of Burr, as a fairly
well rounded but flawed human being who was by far more principled and affable then
Hamilton was, rings truer then Chernow’s account.

As for the circumstances of the duel, due to conflicting
eyewitness accounts, the actual facts will likely never be known for sure.
Again however, as she herself points out, Isenberg cites more credible sources
then does Chernow. Therefore, her assessment of the circumstances surrounding
the incident seems to me to be more reliable.

My conclusion here is that both Isenberg and Chernow have produced
mostly accurate and enlightening works. They actually agree on the vast
majority of the facts. In my opinion this lends respectability to both scholars.

Both writers do ultimately draw very different conclusions. In
these opinions both writers treat each of their respective subjects with
greater understanding then their respective rivals. Reading these two works as
well as other sources concerning the two antagonists, illustrates the need to
hear multiple sides whenever attempting to understand historical or
contemporary events or controversies.

16 comments:

I've always been fascinated by the tale of these two men, thanks for reviewing these books...more to add to my tbr pile!

I just finished "I Should Be Extremely Happy in Your Company: A Novel of Lewis and Clark" by Brian Hall. It's a fictional tale of their voyage to the Pacific. When they finally returned to Washington the Burr/Hamilton controversy was at it's height and stole some of Lewis & Clark's thunder ;)

It seems like historical novels are so very popular these days. Sometimes what hold me back from reading them is that I always want to know the real history first before I delve into a fictionalized account. Since i already know a bit about the Lewis and Clark expedition and that era in America that is a book that I could jump into. This period of American history is extremely interesting to me.

Hi Guy - Hamilton was certainly a character. According to isenberg's book, Burr was incredibly charismatic attracting a massive personal following. She speculates based on her sources that his mannerisms may have resembled Clint Eastwood.

I totally agree about modern politicians and dueling. There is certainly plenty of vindictiveness. It is a slightly perverse but strangely attractive thought!

Duels are so oddly fascnating. Have you seen the movie The Duellists which Guy suggested to me not long ago, I watched it and it's excellent. The obsession and self righteousness behind a duel is portrayed in such an excellent way.I'm not familar with Hamilton nor with Burr but history is a treasure trunk of amazing stories.

Hi Caroline - I have seen The Duelists years ago. I had not thought of it in the context of Hamilton and Burr but now that I think about it there are parallels. I agree, there was so much self obsessions involved with these things it was amazing.

Thank you so much for your terrific comments on my Cozy Book Corner post, dedicated to book cover design!! I greatly appreciate them!!

Having just read your superb review of these two biographies, I have to tell you that this fascinating post has really piqued my curiosity! Of course, I studied this event in school, and I remember that the history text we were using was very negative toward Burr. I seem to recall his being labeled a traitor, too.

I really enjoyed reading your 'meaty' review!! It was very thorough and well balanced, and you sound like a historian yourself!! You really brought out the positive and the negative points of these two biographies. Now I want to buy both of these books!

Thanks for the kind words! I have a B/A in History but beyond that I am just a very interested amateur.

As for the traitor part, per Isenberg's book, several years after the duel and after he left office Burr was brought up on treason charges for plotting to overthrow the US government. Isenberg contends that the charges were trumped up by political enemies and he was eventually acquitted of everything.

Just a quibble: "At the time, electors voted for President, not the general public." Of course, that pesky Electoral College is still at it two centuries later, throwing a randomizing wrench into the democratic process every four years. Maybe some day, we'll let the general public give it a try.

Hey Rick - Good point! As you know there have been several elections where the winner of the popular vote lost the electoral college. As I a am sure you also know, back then the electors did not evan make a pretense of voting for a pledged candidate and it was evan chaotic.

One analogy to the election of 1800 would be as if today's Republican house had to choose a president but could only choose between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.